On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, a bipartisan coalition of 14 U.S. states, including New York and California, along with the District of Columbia, filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that the popular social media platform is addictive and harms children's mental health. The attorneys general accuse TikTok of designing its app to be addictive for young users, leading to negative impacts on their mental health, such as anxiety, sleep loss, and body image issues. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb referred to the app as 'digital nicotine,' highlighting the severity of the accusations. The lawsuits claim that TikTok misrepresented its commitment to user safety, violated consumer protection laws, and manipulated children and teens into prolonged use while downplaying the potential harmful effects.
